World News - Dracula's Castle Up For Sale American Heir Wants To Sell It To Local Romanian Authorities For $78 Million

The Habsburg family said Wednesday that it wanted to sell a Transylvanian castle famous for its connections to the 15th century medieval ruler who inspired "Dracula" for $78 million to the local authorities, an attorney said. The local council says it is interested in buying Bran Castle, but a government minister criticized the price tag, calling it too expensive. Dominic Habsburg, the owner, insisted the family had honorable intentions. "We are trying to find the best way to preserve the castle in the interest of the family and the people of Bran," Habsburg said in a statement made available exclusively to The Associated Press. The castle was returned to Habsburg, a New York architect, on May 26, decades after it was confiscated by the communists from Habsburg's mother, Princess Ileana, in 1948, the year the royals were forced to leave the country. ... http://www.cbsnews.com

Investigators were trying determine what caused a wind-whipped fire that roared through a tony beachfront neighborhood and destroyed five homes, including one belonging to Suzanne Somers. The point of origin of the blaze was believed to be above a park along Pacific Coast Highway, Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief P. Michael Freeman said Tuesday. "At this point nothing is being ruled out in terms of the cause," he said. Monday's sunset blaze, driven by Santa Ana winds, was blown downslope from Malibu Bluffs Park over about 20 acres and across Malibu Road along the beach, destroying five homes, and damaging six others including a guest house, authorities said. One woman was transported to a hospital after suffering smoke inhalation, but there were no other injuries. Damages were estimated at $60 million. ...http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/10/national/main2345208.shtml?source=RSSattr=U.S._2345208

Bush will tell the nation Wednesday night he will send more than 20,000 additional American forces to Iraq, acknowledging that it had been a mistake earlier not to have more American and Iraqi troops fighting the war, a senior administration official said.Seeking support for a retooled strategy to win support for the unpopular war, the president also will acknowledge that the rules of engagement were flawed, White House counselor Dan Bartlett said.Even before Bush’s speaks, Democrats were laying plans to register their opposition to the troop buildup. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pledged to hold a vote on the increase, trying to isolate Bush on his handling of the war. In the Senate, Democrat Edward M. Kennedy has sponsored legislation to require Bush to get congressional approval before sending more troops to Iraq....http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16558652/

Airport checkpoints create lines, pat-downs and occasional headaches for travelers. But now they're going to make something new. Money. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will allow companies to sell ads inside plastic bins whose sole purpose so far has been to move passengers' shoes, cellphones and other belongings through X-ray machines. Advertising companies and airports could reap millions from 12-inch-by-17-inch ads glued to the bottom of security bins. The TSA would benefit, too, from free equipment: The agency is requiring any company that sells the ads to stock airport checkpoints with new bins, carts and stainless steel tables. "It creates a cleaner, smoother, more professional process," says TSA spokeswoman Ellen Howe. But some airports fear a Burger King ad at a security checkpoint might distract passengers who should be emptying pockets and taking off coats....http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2007-01-09-tsa-ads_x.htm?csp=34

The United States is deploying a squadron of stealth fighters to South Korea, a U.S. military spokesman said on Wednesday, amid speculation that North Korea may be ready to test a second nuclear device. The United States is sending about 15 to 20 of its F-117A Nighthawk fighters to South Korea, the spokesman for U.S. Forces Korea said. "This is a routine deployment," said Kim Yong-kyu. "It is a regular operational matter. The U.S. military has sent the radar-evading fighters regularly to South Korea for stays of a few months over the past few years. North Korea has criticized previous deployments as preparations for invasion and nuclear war. Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, where the squadron is stationed, said in a Web posting that the fighters left earlier this week for South Korea. About 250 to 300 airmen were sent to South Korea for previous deployments....http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070110/ts_nm/korea_us_stealth_dc

A government lawyer warned Tuesday that a challenge by several media organizations to a law allowing automatic bans on the publication of evidence could jeopardize suspects' rights to a fair trial.The argument came during a hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton a day after the media organizations, including The Associated Press, challenged a court-ordered ban from last summer on publishing evidence from the bail hearings of 18 suspects accused of plotting terror attacks in southern Ontario.The organizations are contesting a law that automatically grants publication bans on evidence at bail hearings if a suspect requests it. The groups argued that the media are surrogates for the public and have an obligation to report on allegations facing suspects. Sixteen of the 18 suspects in the terror case support the ban....http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/10/ap/world/mainD8MI599G0.shtml